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Private

Washington Aug. 15. 1861.

Gov. Washbourne:

My Dear Sir;

The condition of Maine troops has been growing worse and worse, until open rebellion is manifested. Last evening, about 11 o’clock 62 members of the 2nd Regiment were marched into the City, on their way to jail, surrounded by about 200 mounted men.  Now my dear sir, this Regiment alone saved Maine from utter disgrace at the Battle of “Bulls Run,” and it seems very hard that such men, about Gen. Keep says, in a note to Col. Jameson, surpassed for bravery anything he had ever seen in the service, should be almost driven to this condition for want of a little prompt attention. The immediate cause of this outbreak was the want of shoes and pants, suitable to appear on dress parade in. Most of these Soldiers are new[?], and quite independent at home, and [?] without shoes, (many of them were without an apology for Shoes) and with shirts protruding from many holes in their pants, these men refused to exhibit themselves